BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS
Laterally spreading tumors - non granular type (LST-NG) are more often considered candidates for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) than laterally spreading tumors - granular type (LST-G), because of their higher potential for submucosal invasion. However, ESD for LST-NG can be technically difficult. The aim of our study was to… (More)

BACKGROUND
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) enables en bloc resection of early gastrointestinal neoplasms; however, most ESD articles report small series, with short-term outcomes performed by multiple operators on single organ. We assessed short- and long-term treatment outcomes following ESD for early neoplasms throughout the gastrointestinal tract.… (More)

BACKGROUND
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using short needle knives is safe and effective, but bleeding is a problem due to low haemostatic capability.
AIM
To assess the performance of a novel ball-tipped needle knife (Flush knife-BT) for ESD with particular emphasis on haemostasis.
METHODS
A case-control study to compare the performance for ESD… (More)

OBJECTIVE
To determine if hydroxyapatite (HAP), octacalcuim phosphate (OCP), or tricalcium phosphate (TCP) can be found in the calcium deposits in calcific periarthritis.
METHODS
Thirty-six specimens from 34 patients who had acute inflammation and roentgenographically recognized calcification in soft tissue were analyzed. Twenty-three patients with… (More)

At magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiopancreatography and MR urography with an oral negative contrast agent, low signal intensity was produced in phantoms. In 20 patients suspected of having biliary tract and pancreatic diseases and in 20 healthy volunteers, the signal intensity in the gastrointestinal tract was almost completely eliminated with the negative… (More)

OBJECTIVE
Two typical clinical courses of calcific periarthritis in the shoulder are known: acute, with severe inflammation, and chronic, in the form of impingement syndrome with secondary subacromial bursitis. It remains unclear what factors determine these clinical courses. Our objectives were to clarify whether the calcified deposits that occur in both… (More)

OBJECTIVE
Quantification of serum nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase (NTPPHase) activity in healthy subjects and in patients with various rheumatic diseases or with quad/hemiplegia, hemodialysis, or renal transplant.
METHODS
Colorimetric assay of enzyme activity in serum.
RESULTS
Serum NTPPHase activity in 85 healthy subjects was independent of age or sex… (More)